Aston Martin confirms new 5.2-litre V12 twin-turbocharged engine

The British manufacturer is building a new powerplant that could produce around 600bhp and is set to see service in the forthcoming DB11
Matt Burt
11 January 2016

Aston Martin has confirmed that it is building a brand new 5.2-litre, twin-turbocharged V12 engine, with the forthcoming DB11 set to be the first production model to use the power plant.

The existence of a new V12 engine has been rumoured for some time, but has now been confirmed via a short video issued by the British manufacturer.

Geneva Motorshow update: Aston Martin reveals the tech spec and pricing for the forthcoming DB11

The video focuses on the engine’s components, before zooming out to show the engine cover reading ‘V12 5.2 Twin Turbo’ and finishing with a message saying ‘Coming Soon’.

Aston Martin sources haven’t confirmed that the new DB11 will definitely use the unit, but it seems logical that its most crucial new car in a decade would. Indeed, a DB11 test mule on British registration plates has been spied and on the DVLA’s website the car is listed as having a 5200cc engine.

There is no official word on power output from the new engine, although it seems likely that it could surpass the 568bhp served up by the ‘AM29’ V12 used in the Aston Martin Vanquish.

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A maximum power output in the region of 600bhp is possible from the new engine. That would make it Aston Martin’s most powerful series production V12s, surpassed only by the tuned powerplants used in special edition models such as the One-77 and Vulcan.

Future Aston Martin moders are also set to receive a supply of twin-turbocharged V8 engines built to the Gaydon company's specifications by AMG. That raises the prospect of naturally aspirated units eventually being phased out from Aston's model range.

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Comments
3

BertoniBertone

11 January 2016
It seems to me the 'fuel saving cost' running a Gen 2 991 compared with a Gen 1 is going to be a few hundred quid: most owners have more lost change than that behind their sofas. We get the full Porsche 'Turbo-Fest' because of car tax classification and illusory emission targets. It just simply looks good but doesn't make the driver feel better - except on a tree-hugging level perhaps. I suggest that AM does not need a more emotional or better sounding engine than the current N/A V12: it just needs a better box and lighter weight to 'improve' performance. I'm sure that having an engine that surpasses the dreaded 255g/kilo doesn't interest AM owners one jot... so why add turbos and destroy the noblest engine sound in Cardom: ie. the unadulerated acoustic majesty of a V12 having its berries squeezed ? I'm not even sure owners are terribly bothered that Ferrari can extra 730+ bhp from the F12's 6.0 V12. Turbos for V8s....But Aston, invest your finite funds in better gearboxes and lighter chassis and leave the V12 alone.....

BertoniBertone

TBC

12 January 2016
So, is the 'new' V12 a development of the current Ford sourced engine, or is it a unit supplied by MB?

BarryFastCars

12 January 2016
I'll admit, I did not see this coming. I thought the 5.9 would soldier on, maybe with direct injection added for emissions and power. This is slightly disappointing. The bright side though is the possibility of a 2.6L turbocharged inline 6 being derived from this motor. This would be perfect for a "base" model next gen Vantage to compete directly with the 911. Then the AMG TT V8 Vantage would stack up nicely against the 911 Turbo. Now we need to know where this motor came from. I sure hope it somehow weighs less than the current 5.9, then it may be worth it. Sure will miss the sound that NA V12 makes. Sure hope this DB11 is a game changer so DB9 prices drop off big time!

YT - BarryFastCars

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